Racks



L. H. BES

RACKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invent i ll) Leon. a1, Best ulilufk muw fl-Hrornegs Oct. 29, 1968 Filed March 7, 1967 Oct. 29, 1968 1.. H. BEST 3,408,018

RACKS Filed March 7, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l2 I I 26 n q- L 3+) FRONT I3 Uh. "3.! 25 25 DRIVEN ROLLER Inventor I Leon 31. Best l3 .33,

United States Patent 3,408,018 RACKS Leon H. Best, Galva, Ill., assignor to John H. Best and Sons, Inc., Galva, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 621,326 6 Claims. (Cl. 242-66) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE To facilitate the unwinding and rewinding of large rolls of carpeting or the like, a cradle of rollers of corresponding length is provided in a crescent-shaped array to support the roll. Effective rotation of the roll is achieved by driving the intermediate rollers, while idling at least one of the end rollers. Two tiers of rollers may be used so that one roll of carpeting may be worked upon, while another roll is reposing in ready position or in a rewound position to be removed.

In cutting desired lengths from a roll of carpeting, the usual practice is of course for two men to cooperate in manipulating the carpet by hand to withdraw substantially more than the desired length. After the desired length has been unwound, it is cut, and the carpet is rerolled.

It has been proposed to facilitate this operation by supporting the carpet roll on a mandrel or projecting lift arm of a lift truck. This, however, ties up three men; namely, the carpet cutters and the man driving the truck. Even so, the roll of carpeting must be unwound and rewound manually.

In accordance with the present invention, I have constructed a rack having two superimposed cradles for carpet rolls. The cradles are defined by rollers of which some at least are driven so as to enable the carpet roll to be unwound and rewound automatically.

The primary object of the present invention is therefore to materially reduce the amount of time entailed in cutting desired lengths from a carpet roll, while nevertheless utilizing the advantage of transporting the carpet rolls by means of a truck having a supporting mandrel on a lift plate. This object is realized by resorting to the cradle construction above described in that the carpet cutters can be working on a roll of carpeting, or other rolled material, while the truck is returning to the storage area to bring a new roll for cutting. By the time the truck arrives with the new roll, the previous roll will have been cut and is in position to be both rewound and withdrawn from its cradle support. The new roll can be deposited in its cradle by the truck driver, the carpet cutters can start on this one, and the previously cut and now rewound roll can be removed from its cradle. These operations can be repeated over and over again without wasting the time of the truck driver.

A more specific object of the present invention is to so construct the rack as to enable the rollers in the two superimposed cradles to be selectively operated both in an unwinding and rewinding direction so far as concerns a roll of carpeting or the like, and to so construct the drive for the rollers as to enable the rollers to be efiiciently driven by a relatively inexpensive arrangement.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principle thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying this principle. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principle may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by ice those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a different phase of operation;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanism for driving the rollers taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partly schematic view illustrating the manner in which a drive is imparted to selected rollers;

FIG. 4A is a fragmentary detail view showing certain gears in their engaged position; and

FIG. 5 is a view substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

The present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 as embodied in a rack comprising an upright frame 11 which supports a pair of superimposed cradles 12 and 13 each of which embodies a plurality of rollers in an upwardly opening crescent-shaped array as hereinafter described in detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a truck 15, equipped with a lift plate 17, has just been maneuvered into position at one side of the rack 10. The lift 17 is adapted to be raised and lowered by chains 18 under the control of a hydraulic jack 20.

Projecting forwardly from the lift 17, and as a part thereof, is a lift arm or mandrel 21 adapted to be inserted into the core or spool of a large carpet roll R1, about to be deposited on the rollers of the upper cradle 12. The roll R1 will repose in its cradle 12 when the mandrel 21 is withdrawn during an appropriate reverse movement. Carpet cutters, working as a pair in unison, will eventually cut the tie strings TS of the carpet roll R1 incidental to cutting a selected length therefrom, and this cutting operation is facilitated by the rollers of the cradle as hereinafter described.

Beneath the carpet roll R1, and reposing in the cradle 13, is a second roll of carpeting R2. It will be observed that the roll R2 has a projecting free length L. The carpet cutters previously worked on this roll R2, which is now to be rewound in the cradle 13 as hereinafter described, and after this rewinding operationhas been completed, the truck will be maneuvered and the lift 17 repositioned to enable the lift arm or mandrel 21 to be inserted into the spool or core opening of the lower roll R2. The lift will then be raised to elevate roll R2 above its supporting cradle 13. Thereafter, the truck 15 will be maneuvered to withdraw the roll R2 from the frame, and the carpet roll R2 will be transported to its assigned storage area.

The frame 11, FIG. 2, is constructed of upright angle bars 25, FIG. 2, there being a pair of these at each end of the frame, spaced and rigidly joined by upper and lower cross bars 26. The frame is further rigidified by upper and lower pairs of longitudinal tie rods 28 rigidly secured at their ends to the cross members 26. In turn the tie rods 28 are spaced and reinforced by transverse tie rods 29.

The cradles 12 and 13 are supported on the frame 11 by end supports, and inasmuch as the construction and arrangement of each cradle, as well as the supporting.

means therefor, are identical in all respects, the description to follow applies to both cradles.

Thus, and referring to FIG. 1, each end support for each cradle is in the form of an angle plate 30 having a horizontal flange 31 bolted to the horizontal supporting surface of the corresponding cross member 26 at the end of the frame. The angle plate, serving as an end support for the rollers of each cradle, includes an upright flange 32 having a crescent-shaped upper surface as will be readily apparent in FIG. 4.

A plurality of separate elongated rollers 35, FIG. 2, extend between and are rotatably supported by the end supports collectively in an upwardly concave crescentshaped array so as to conform generally to the curvature of the carpet roll or the like that is to repose thereon. Insofar as journaling the ends of the rollers in the end supports 30 may be concerned, any desired arrangement can be used.

The crescent-shaped array of rollers is best illustrated in FIG. 4. In the'preferred embodiment of the'invention, there are'six such rollers, and of course these are selected as to length to accommodate the largest size of carpet roll, and the end supports and bearings for journaling the rollers are selected to accommodate thick carpet rolls of great weight.

With reference to FIG. 4, it is to be stressed that the outermost rollers A and 35F at the ends or so-called horns of the crescent may or may not be'individually driven, whereas the remaining rollers 358 through 35E are at all times driven rollers, since it has been found that this arrangement assures the most effective winding and unwinding of a carpet roll supported thereon as will be described.

While various forms of a drive may be used for driving the intermediate rollers, it is preferred to conform to the effective economic arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 where the four intermediate rollers, defining the bottom of the crescent, are provided with sprockets, as shown, each sprocket being meshed with a drive chain 37 powered by a drive sprocket 38.

The drive mechanism for the driven rollers is supported at the rear of a shield plate SP, FIG. 1, at the far side of the rack as viewed in this figure, and referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, it will be noted that the chain 37 is ordinarily shrouded by a chain guard housing 40. The driving sprocket 38, FIG. 5, is supported on a drive shaft 41 which in turn is driven by an electric motor EM of the reversing type. The electric motor is supported on an upright bracket 45, FIG. 3, which in turn is secured to the related one of the cross braces 26 included in the frame 11. The motor can be selectively energized or de-energized through a switch 46 having a rocking switch arm 47 which can be rocked in opposite directions through remotely operated cables 48 and 49 at the will of a person participating in the carpet cutting operation.

The switch arm is in its neutral or motor-off position, FIG. 3. When arm 47 is rocked in one direction, the motor drives in one direction (carpet unwinding); when the arm 47 is rocked in the opposite direction, the motor is reversed and rollers 35 are so driven as to rewind the carpet roll. There is of course a separate motor, switch, drive sprocket and drive chain for each .of the cradles 12 and 13.

Means are provided to assure proper tensioning and an equalized drive for the four sprockets associated with the four intermediate driven rollers 35B through 35E. This means is in the form of an equalized bar 51 having a pair of idler sprockets 52 at the opposite ends thereof. The equalizer bar and the idler sprockets associated therewith are positioned beneath the lower pass of the drive chain 37 as will be readily apparent in FIG. 4. The equalizer bar 51 has a depending lug 53 associated therewith and this lug has an elongated slot 54 formed therein of vertical extent. Fastening bolts 55 have the shanks thereof entered in the slot 54 with the threaded ends thereof secured in a supporting plate 56, FIG. 5, which in turn is bolted to the upright flange 32 of the related end support 30 in which the ends of the rollers are journaled. By loosening the bolts 55, the equalizer bar can be moved up or down as the case may be to accordingly vary the tension of the chain and as an incident to assuring an equalized drive.

As noted above, the end rollers 35A and 35F are not driven through the chain 37 However, one or the other of the end rollers may be selectively driven, or both may be idled at all times,"and this is accomplished by interposing a'sele'ctively'operable gear train between each end roller and the roller next adjacent thereto which is driven through thechain 37.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the roller 35A has a gear G1 secured thereto. A gear G3 is secured to the'adjacent roller 3513 which is driven through the chain. Likewise, end roller 35F is provided'with a'gear G11,and the adjacent (driven) roller 35E is provided with a gear G13.

The gears thus described are inboard of the mounting plate 32 as viewed inFIG.4, andin order to transmit a drive from gear G3 to gear G1, an intermediate gear G2 is provided which is normally in a disengaged position as show'n'in FIG; 4'. This isequally true of a gear G12, FIG. 4,' related tothe gears G11 and G13. -Dependirigup'on the size of the roll and other circumstances, it is usually the case that at all times the end roller 35F will normally'be idled, whereas the front roller 35A will usually be-driven. However, the circumstances may be reversed in practice, and in order to provide for all contingencies, the gears' G2 and G12 are normally disposed in the disengaged position illustrated in FIG. 4 so that "both end rollers are normally idled, although both may be moved to the engaged position such as illustrated in FIG. 4A, or one or the other can be in an engaged position.

Various means may be provided for selectively setting the gears G2 and G12 in an engaged position. Advantageously, this can be accomplished by mounting the axes A1 and A2 of the gears G2 and G12 on'an eccentric throw E1 and E2 respectively. The eccentrics E1 and E2 are provided with a detenting knob or handle (not shown) which is a well-known form of enabling a gear to be moved between an engaged and disengaged position.

FIG. 4A is 'adetail illustrating the circumstances prevailing when it is desired to impart a positive drive to the front roller 35A. At this time, gear G2 has been moved to its engaged position, inter-meshing with gears G3 and G1 so that roller 35A will be driven with -rollers35B-35E with end roller 35F idled.

It'will be appreciated that the gears G2 and G12 may be set automatically if desired, in which event the eccentrics E1 and E2 may be thrown by selectively operable solenoids or the like.

' In use of the rack, itmay be assumed that the desired length'of carpeting has been cu't'from the lower roll R2. A workman will energize motor EM to drive the chain 37 in a direction-which will cause the intermediate driven rollers, FIG. 4, to re-wind carpet roll R2. When rewinding has been completed, the truck driver can insert the lift mandrel 21, raise roll R2 from its cradle and remove roll R2 entirely from the rack, exposing the lower cradle 13 as shown in FIG. -2 to receive a'new roll of carpeting or -the like.

The upper'roll R2, FIGwZ, is in position to be set on its cradle-12, the upper one; and when ready to be unrolled, the motor EM associated with the cradle 12 is energized to produce unwinding. In the meantime, the truck driver may be 'in the process of transporting to the rack a third roll of carpeting to be set in the empty lower cradle 13.

As mentioned, it has been found that greater efficiency is'realizedfiby idling oneor the other of theend' rollers 35A and 35F- at the top or horns of the crescent array while driving the remaihingroller's 35B'35Eat thebottom ofth'e cradle arrayrfor when all" the rollers are driven, it is found that with a'large, new roll of carpeting the carpet tends'to assume too much ofanelipse in the course of unwinding. Thisproblem maybe obviated by haying both e'nd rollers idled, or, at least the end roller 35F. any eyengn is found that tighter rolls. be realized, o'nrewinding, with the end roller 3 5E idled in comparison to manual rewinding. I

Hence, while I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification. For example, the front legs 25, FIG. 1, may be removed and the supporting framework modified simply to cantilever the upper cradle. This allows more room for maneuvering the lift truck. Further it is possible to dispense with the gearing altogether and simply provide for constant idling of the two end rollers by using the chain drive solely, FIG. 4.

I claim:

1. In a rack for facilitating unwinding and rewinding of a large cumbersome roll of covering material or the like, such as carpeting from which a selected length is to be cut, the combination comprising means affording an upright frame including spaced end supports, a cradle composed of a plurality of separate elongated rollers rotatably supported by and extending between said end supports collectively in an upwardly concave crescentshaped array so as to conform generally to the curvature of the roll, said rollers including a pair of end rollers and a plurality of intermediate rollers, a chain drive for the intermediate rollers only and means to drive the chain in a forward or reverse direction, a normally inoperable gear train for driving each end roller from its adjacent intermediate roller driven by the chain and means to selectively operate the gear trains so that one end roller may be driven while the other is idled.

2. The combination of claim 1 repeated in two tiers of said rollers enabling one roll to 'be unwound in its cradle while a second roll is reposing in its cradle.

3. In a rack for facilitating unwinding and rewinding of a large cumbersome roll of covering material or the like, such as carpeting from which a selected length is to be cut, the combination comprising means affording an upright frame including spaced end supports, a cradle composed of a plurality or separate elongated rollers rotatably supported by and extending between said end supports collectively in an upwardly concave crescentshaped array so as to conform generally to the curvature of the roll, at least one of the rollers at the end of the crescent-shaped array being normally a non-driven idler roller, selected ones of the remaining rollers being provided with sprockets driven by a chain, and said chain in turn being driven by a reversible motor.

4. The combination of claim 3 repeated in two tiers of said rollers enabling one roll to be unwound in its cradle while a second roll is reposing in its cradle.

5. The combination of claim 3 including an adjustable equalizer presenting a pair of idler sprockets in mesh with the drive chain.

6. The combination of claim 5 repeated in two tiers of said rollers enabling one roll to be unwound in its cradle while a second roll is reposing in its cradle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,951,182 3/1934 Bessmer et al 24266 2,220,230 11/ 1940 Gilbert 242-68] 2,795,384 6/1957 Jensen 242-66 FOREIGN PATENTS 457,160 3/1928 Germany.

FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

N. L. MINTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

